Thanks to the dedication of its fan base and the excitement surrounding the Bulldogs first bowl appearance since 2001, Louisiana Tech has sold over 11,000 Independence Bowl tickets through its ticket office.

And as of Tuesday, phones in the Louisiana Tech Ticket Office continued to steadily ring and tickets continued to steadily sell as the athletic department closes in on a sellout of its 12,000 allotted tickets.

Tech Deputy Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde said he expects sales to continue through the week and that he anticipates that by Sunday's game, the remaining tickets will be gone.

"The response has been overwhelmingly positive," Van De Velde said. "To sell over 11,000 bowl tickets is an indication of the enthusiasm and support everyone in the region has for Louisiana Tech University and the Independence Bowl."

According to Independence Bowl Executive Director Missy Setters, Louisiana Tech's ticket sales pace is comparable to Alabama in 2007 and Ole Miss in the years the Rebels have participated in the bowl.

"Louisiana Tech fans have done an outstanding job of supporting their program," Setters said. "They appear to be on pace with many of our past Big 12 and SEC participants and by game day should reach a sellout of their full allotment."

Following the Bulldogs 35-31 win over New Mexico State on Nov. 22 -- a win that solidified LA Tech's bowl life in 2008 -- the athletic department began an aggressive campaign to sell tickets.

Tech fans began buying tickets even before they were sure where the Bulldogs would be playing, just another sign of the excitement surrounding the team's postseason opportunity.

"The Tech Nation should be commended," said Tech Associate A.D. Malcolm Butler. "Many of our fans are already Independence Bowl season ticket holders so for us to sell out of our allotted tickets is really a statement to the growth of our program and the dedication of our fans."

Tech fans can continue to purchase Independence Bowl tickets through the Tech athletic website at www.latechsports.com through midnight Saturday.

Tech will also sell tickets at the Hilton (team hotel) on Market Street in Shreveport on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.